We saw our baby!

Good morning, afternoon, or evening...depending on when you are reading this. 
We experienced the most amazing thing yesterday! We got to see our little peanut inside of my uterus. The first ultrasound was quite the experience. I know very little about the whole carrying a child thing, and I learned yesterday that they inspect EVERYTHING to make sure all is where it should be, and that all is measuring accordingly. 
We learned that my due date was correct: December 5th. Although they said I was measuring a day early, they want to keep the same due date. I guess due dates are just estimations anyway! 
As you can see, the little guy/girl has his mama's nose (haha, it is probably too early to tell that and it is just now starting to form completely). However, that is what it looks like in this image! In a couple of weeks the baby will only be growing because it is almost fully developed!

As you can see I am getting a little more round in the middle. It is easier to tell if you see all of the pictures together though, because simply looking at this picture you may just say that I probably consumed too many Rebel Donuts.  If you know me though, you would definitely agree...I am becoming a MAMA!
Of course I am constantly wondering if I will be any good (at being a mom), and I am hoping that I will be because I will not return to teaching for several years...this means I better be a pretty darn good stay-at-home MOM...and wife too! It is all pretty new and frightening! 

I am still running. This morning I finished my first race of the pregnancy. I ran Polly's run here in ABQ to support pancreatic cancer research. This is my friend Linda, whose dad is battling the cancer right now. It was nice to run with my friend, and to run for a cause. 
It turns out, that although we walked a little in the beginning...I ended up placing fourth in my age group. I thought that was pretty cool. Although it was nothing close to my 5k PR of 23:01, I was proud! 
My goal is to continue running as long as I can...even if it is only 5ks. Don't get me wrong, 5ks are a lot of fun, and a good workout, but after trying to train for a marathon...I just fell in love with the longer distances.
I love how it feels to be pregnant (knowing a baby is growing in there), although I may be a complainer...this pregnancy definitely isn't a rough one (so far, and knock on wood). Conrad has been amazing, and it is nice to have a great support system with my MAGNIFICENT family and friends. 

Keep on pushing yourself, you never know how far you're able to go. 

Any first time moms out there? Running moms? Anyone? :) Have a great morning/day/night.

I RUN!

P.S. Sorry for all of the parenthesis usage, as you can tell I have many thoughts, and a lot of side remarks to make because of all the many emotions I am feeling! I do hope you understand.

Strong

The past week has been a rough one. Conrad and I worked very hard to run according to our schedule, and we did so until Saturday. We traveled to Conrad's hometown in the mountains and when we woke up that morning we noticed that it was snowing!!! We couldn't believe it. The whole day we debated if we should run or not. I figured it wasn't going to stop snowing, so we ventured out for a nice, cold, snow in your eyes, run. Our intention was to run seven miles, but we were at 8,000 feet, and unprepared.

The snow was soaking right through our clothes, so we only ran four. We climbed over 300 feet, and I thought that was the equivalent of running seven back in Albuquerque.

So while running, we stopped a dozen times to take pictures so it wasn't that good of a run. But we did it! And isn't that what is important?

On Sunday, we got back in the afternoon, and I was so exhausted. I have been battling allergies, and they are kicking my booty! Anyway, we ran right when we got back, and it was a mentally tough run. We have been running around the Academy twice lately!!! A little background, running Academy once used to be a feat for me! Now running around it twice, after already running a few miles, and then adding miles on to that, as well...is a HUGE accomplishment! The allergies were killing me, and my nose wouldn't quit running. However, I kept pushing and never stopped. 

Yesterday we ran a record 14 miles! That is the farthest distance I have ever ran! It was doable, but trying. We ran it with an average pace of 9:05. Which is around our goal pace for the marathon. 

The other runs last week were pretty good. Some miles are easier than others. It is all a work in progress. We are getting stronger, and now we know we can do it. We are just praying that we don't get injured. 

Speaking of injured, my leg has been feeling just fine. I hope that this means I am not really too hurt, and that it is going away! 

I will work this week, and then we will head to Mexico on Saturday! We have a fifteen miler on Sunday on the beach in Mexico. I hope it doesn't kill us! Wish us luck. Xoxo...

Strong heart + strong mind = strong body